Automatic traffic signal



Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed March 20, 1924 5Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HENRY 0. BORGE-RDINC; OO5EPH F- BORGERDING AT YJan'. 10, 1928.

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed March 20, 1924 5Sheets-Sheet 2 M mwm was w 1% w? T 1F A 3 I. WW w m H; w 0

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDlNG ,ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFI G S IGNAL Filed March 20, 1.9245 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHVENTORS HENRY zxsokeawme JOSEPH F- BORGERDING A YS.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi-led March 20, 1924 H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATICTRAFFIC SIGNAL INVENTOR5 HENRY J- BOR6EED\NG U0 5 F- BORG ERD\NG Jan.10, 1928.

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Filed March 20, 1924 v 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 NS V INVENTORS HENRY a.sozeeaome 'O'OSEPH FZBORGEKHNG- ATTYS.

Patented Jan. 10, 1928. 1

UNITED STATES PATENT F FICE.

HENRY J. BORGERDIN G AND JOSEPH F. BORGEBDING, 0F OAKLAND, GALIZFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed March 20, 1924. Serial No. 700,469.

This invention relates to automatic t'raflic Figs. 5 and 6 are views inelevation of opsignals for use in directing traffic at the inpositesides of the motor control disk. 50 tersections of highways or streets.I Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of the face It is the principal objectof the present of the control disk of the audible signal 5 invention togenerally improve devices of which operates synchronously with the anthecharacter mentioned whereby to protomaton. vide a traflic signal whichmay be "substi- Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the cas- 55 tutedfor traflic ofilcers usually stationed at ing inclosing the automaticcontrol mechastreet or highway intersections to direct the nism anddisclosing the latter in full.

trailic. This signal is capable of automatic Fig. 9 is an enlargedfragmentary view of operation and may be controlled from a retheelectrical contactor used in connection mote point. wlth theautomatic'control circuit. 00

In carrying out this object we provide an Fig. 10 is an enlargedfragmentary view electrically operated automaton capable of in elevationof the sliding member of the turning a quarter of a revolution atdesired contactor shown in the precedin figure.

intervals to direct the traffic at street in- Fig. 11 is a wiringdiagram 0? the device tersections. We provide two controls for with alocal control circuit shownin heavy as the automaton, one of which maybe exerlines. I cised to operate the automaton at intervals Fig. 12discloses the wiring diagram with of any desired length. The othercontrol the automatic control ci cuit in heavy lines.

is automatic and causes the automaton t0 Referring more particularly tothe acoperate at regular or irregular time intercompanying drawings, 10indicates a base vals of predetermined lengths. of suitable constructionand which may be We also provide a fire alarm circuit for placed at theintersection of streets or in 25 displaying and sounding an alarm tostop any other advantageous position. It is inall traffic whennecessary. The circuit of tended that the base be weatherproof as itthis alarm is so associated with the electrical contains mechanism foroperating an automapparatus for operating the automaton that aton 11mounted on the base. This automwhen the alarm circuit is closed theoperaton is preferably formed of sheet metal 0 'ating circuits of theautomaton are autoand simulating a trafficoflicer. It is prematicallyrendered ineffective. ferred that the automaton be about the size Oneform which the invention may asof ahuman figure. I so same isexemplified in the following descrip- The automaton is supported forrotation tio nd illustrated by way of example in about its vertical axisby a pair of bearing 35 t ac mpanying drawi gs, in which: members 12fixed within the automaton and Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a traffickeyed or otherwise secured to a vertical signal embodying the pref erredform of our sleeve h ft 14 Th l tt i j ll d i invention. a bearing 15carried by the platform 16 of Fig. 2 is a view in vertical sectionthrough the base 10. I

40 the same with parts of the automaton broken Th Sleeve h ft 14 i d t dt b i away nd in S i n to more l r y i l s termittently rotated torevolve the automer ain fea r S f the iHVentiOnaton by means of anelectric motor 17 Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section through mountedin the base 10. The shaft 18 0f the base taken at right angles to thesecthis motor is fitted with a worm 19 which tiOn ShOWn in the precedingfig is in mesh with a worm gear 20. The latter Fig.4 is an enlargeddetailed view in secis fixed on a shaft 21 which carries a bevel tiondisclosing the construction of the elecpinion 22. This pinion is in meshwith a or; trical Wipers. bevel gear 23 fixed on the lower end of thesleeve shaft 14. It is obvious from this that nected with a crank arm 31which is fixed on a shaft 32. The arm 33 of the automaton is also fixedon this shaft. Therefore, when the push rod is raised and lowered, the

shaft 32 will be rotated approximately one-' half of a revolution andreturned, causing the arm to be raised and. lowered to imitate theaction of a traflic officer. As will be seen in Fig. 2 the head of theautomaton is turnable on the trunk portion and has an extension fittedwith a bevel gear 34. This gear is in mesh with a bevel pinion 35fixedon the shaft 32. This 'will cause the head to slightly turn eachtime the arm of the automaton is raised and lowered. a

The gear ratios between the various shafts described are such that theeccentric 29 will be revolved one complete revolution each time theautomaton and its operatingshaft 14 is revolved one-fourth of arevolution. This will cause the arm 33 to operate synchronously withtheturning of the automaton.

To aid in supporting the automaton we place a band 36 about the centerof the figure. This band is held stationary by rods 37 extending fromvertical posts 38 at the corners of the platform. The automaton is freeto turn in the band 36.

For controlling the operation of the motor 17 we provide two independentcontrols; one of which we prefer to term a local control and the otheran automatic control. Both of these controls can be manipulated from apoint remote from the device.

The circuit of the motor 17 includes a disk 39 which is fixed on a shaft401 This shaft is driven by a bevel gear 41 fixed on the sleeve shaft14, which gear is inmesh with a gear 42 on the shaft 40. The ratiobetween the said shafts is two to one, so that the disk 39 willrevolveone-half of a revolution each time the automaton I is driven a quarterof a revolution.

The disk is insulated from the shaft and is formed witha rimofconducting material against which a wiper 43 bears. The opposite facesof the disk are fitted with diametrically opposed segments 44 and 45also of conducting material. The remaining portions of the faces of thedisk are of non conducting material. The segments 44 and 45 areelectrically connected to the rim of the disk whereby 'a circuit may becompleted from a wiper 46 in contact with the segment 44 to the rim, orfrom a wiper 47 in contact with the segment 45 to the rim. Thearrangement of the segments causes the motor circuit to be interruptedeeah half revolution of the disk, which is at each quarter revolution ofthe automaton.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we disclose views of the opposite faces of the disk 39.

The construction of the wipers is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.Reference being had to this figure it is seen that the wiper member 46'is reciprocable in a sleeve 46*, within which an expansion spring 46 isplaced. This spring constantly tends to force the wiper member 46outwardly. The sleeve 46 is secured in an insulating collar and isconnected to an electrical conductor.

For the sake of clearness in Fig. '11 we have shown the wiring diagramwith the local control circuit in heavy lines and the remainder v of thewiring in light lines. It will be seenthat the control circuit includesa main feed wire 50 which is connected by a conductor 51 to the armature52 of amagnet 53. When the magnet is not energized the arn'iature 52thereof is in contact with a terminal 54 of a conductor 55. Thisconductor leads to the arm of a switch 56. When-this switch is incontact with a terminal 57 of a conductor 58 it will be electricallyconnected to the arm of a double throw switch 59 which may be-placed incontact with either of a pair of terminals 60 and 61 which are connectedwith conductors 62 and 63, respectively. The conductor 63 is connectedwith the wiper 46 which is in contact with the segment 44 on the disk39. 'Lhe conductor 62 is connected with the wiper 47 which is in contactwith the segment 45 on the disk. When the, switch arm of the switch 59is in contact with the terminal 60 a circuit will be completed throughthe conductor 62fthe brush 4?, the segment 45 on the disk 39, and fromthe rim of the disk 39 to one side of the motor 17 through the wiper 43and conductor 43. The other side of this motor is connected by aconductor 64 to the other main feed wire 65. The motor will thencommence operatil'ig and continue to do so until the disk 39 hastraversed one-half of a. revolution. The wiper 47 will then hedisengaged from the segment 45 and will hear on the non-conductingsurface of the disk. The-motor circuit will then be broken.

' During the operation of the motor, however, the automaton will berevolved onefourth of a revolution and the accompanying operations willtake place as described. The motor 17 will then remain idle until thearm of the switch 59 is placed in contact with the terminal 61. lVhenthis occurs a circuit will be completed through the conductor 63,

1 the wiper 46 and the segment 44 on the oppo- '47 dise'ngages fromthesegment 45. From the segment 44 the-current will be conducted to therim of the disk 39 and thence to'the motor from the wiper 43 andconductor 43.

' interval between operations of the automaton The circuit of the latterwill then be completed through the-conductor 64 which leads to the feedwire 65.

It is obvious from the foregomg that the may be optional and may becontrolled from a remote point bythe switch 59.

Simultaneously with the operation of the automaton we have arranged forthe sounding of a bell 66 or-other'audible signal. The circuit of thisbell is in series with the motor. The circuit of the bell includes adisk 67 having a conducting rim 68 with which a wiper 69 contacts. Oneface of the disk isformcd with a conducting surface 70 with which awiper 71 contacts. The surface 70 is electrically connected with therim.

The disk 67 operates inunison with the disk 39 and during one-half of arevolution the circuit of the bell will be uninterrupted. During theother half revolution of the disk 67 the circuit of the bell will beinterrupted so that it will sound twice. To accomplish this we haveplaced a section of insulating material in the path of the wiper 71. Thefeature of the different alarms is advantageous as it gives a differentsounding when the trafiic'is opened, say, for instance, north and south,than when it is opened east and west.

It is believed that the circuit of the bell can be easily traced fromthe diagram in Fig. 11.

The automatic control for the automaton may be located at apoint remotefrom the latter and in this instance is shown encased in a casing 73shown in-Fig. 8.

The control mechanism disclosed in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive isillustrated, described and claimed in a co-pending application filed asa division of this application on or about the 13th day of May, 1925,entitled Traffic signal timing device, bearing Ser. No. 29,927.

The various electrical connections between the casing 73 and the base'10 of the automaton may be made through wires laid -m theusual manner.The'automatic control comprises a motor 74. the shaft of which is fittedwith a worm which is in mesh with a worm gear 75 on a shaft 76. Thisshaft is alsofitted with aworm 77 which is in mesh with a worm gear 7 8on a timer wheel shaft 79. Fixed on this latter shaft is a timer wheel.80, the rim of which is fitted with a plurality of rows of gearsegments 81. These rowsof se ments are spaced apart axially of the wheeland are difierently spaced apart circumferentially thereof. a

'84 having a face of similar material. A

wiper member 88 is carried by the gear 83 and is adapted to contact withfour contact points 89 carried by the sliding member 84.

These four contact points 89 areshown in diagram in Fig. 12, where thewiper 88 is indicated as a swinging arm. The wiper 88 obtains itscurrent from the center rod 85, while the contact points 89 obtaincurrent from the rods 85.

Reference being had to Fig. 12 where the wiring diagram is shown Withthe circuit of the automatic contrdl in heavy lines, it will be/seenthat the switch 56 controls a circuit of the timer motor 74. When it isdesired to discontinue the local control and place the automatic controlin operation the switch 56 is placed to contact with the terminals 90and 91. The circuit of the motor 7 4 will then be closed and the latterwill drive the timer wheel 80. When one of the segments 81 becomesenmeshed with the gear 83 the latter will be revolved a quarter of arevolution to placev the wiper 88 thereon in contact with one of thepoints 89. This will close a cirthence to the wiper 88 to the contactpoint 89 with which it is in contact along the con ductor 92 to theterminal 60, thence through the conductor 62 to the control disk 39 ofthe automaton motor. The circuit of this latter motor will then beclosed in the same manner as that described in connection with thelocalcontrol. When the disk 39 has revolved a half revolution, which isequivalent to a quarter revolution of the automaton, the circuit of theautomaton motor will be broken as described in connection with the localcontrol until the gear 83 is revolved another quarter revolution tobring the wiper 88 thereon in contact with the succeeding point 89 onthe sliding member 84. A circuit will then be completed from the contactpoint 89 along a conductor 93 to the terminal 61 of the conductor 63.Thisfas described in connection with the local control, leads to theother segment of the disk 39 and completes a circuit through theautomaton motor to revolve the automaton a second quarter of arevolution.

It is believed to be understood that although the timer wheel revolvescontinuree horizontal rods sup-j &

ously when the timer motor 74 is in operation instance, it it is desiredto have the trallic open north and south longer than east and west thesliding member may be moved to place the gear 83 in position where itwill be operated by the first row of segments. The spaces between thesegments in this row are not equal and therefore the time intervalbetween operations of the automaton will be unequal.

It is desirable that the second row of segments be positioned to operatethe automaton each quarter revolution at intervals of the same length.Likewise the third row of segments, although the latter may bepositioned closer together circumferentially of the timer wheel so thatthe time intervals between operations will be shorter compared withthose when the automaton is operated by the second row of segments. a

For convenience we have fitted the sliding member 84 with a pointer 9iwhich may cooperate with a scale on the top of the housing e'ncasing thetimermechanism. Therefore, the sliding member 84 may be accuratelypositioned at the desired point to mesh the gear 83 with "either of thethree rows of segments on the timer Wheel to obtain the correct timingof the operation of the automaton.

On the four corner posts which extend vertically from the corners of thebase 10 we place four lights 95, so that the automaton may be visible atnight. These lights are controlled by a switch 96 placed in a conductor97 which leads from the feed wire to one side of the four lights. Theother side of these four lights is connected to the feed wire 65. Thecircuit of the lights will be con'iplet-ed upon closing the switch 96.

For automatically discontinuing the oper-j ation of the automaton and tonotify the trallic incase the automaton should be in the path of fireengines or other vehicles necessitating the stopping of all traffic, wearrange a circuit for energizing the magnet 53 to automatically renderthe circuits of the timer motor 7 4 and the circuits controlled by theswitch 59 ineffective.

For the purpose of explanation the circuit of the 'magnet 53 and theaccompanying devices will be termed the fire, alarm circuit.This'circuit comprises the feed wire 50, conductor 51, which leads tothe armature 52 of the magnet and from the armature 52 of the magnet toone side of a switch 96. The other side of this switch is led to oneterminal of a magnet 53. When this switch is closed. a current will beled to the magnet from the feed wire 50 through the switch 96 to themagnet and thence to a conductor 97 to the feed wire 65, thuscompleting'the circuit and energizing the magnet. Immediately the magnetis energized the armature 52 thereof will be brought into contact withthe terminal 98 of a conductor 99 and will complete a circuit through abell or other electrical alarm 100 and four lights 101 to the conductor97and thence to the lead-in wire 65 through the conductor 97. The fourlights 101 mentioned are located at the top of the corner posts on thebase of the automaton and are preferably colored lights. it is "obviousthat the switch 96 may be located atany point remote from the automatonand that all the automatons in the path of the vehicles necessitatingthe stopping of the trafiic may be controlled from switches located at acentral point.

It is seen from the diagram that instantly the magnet 53 is energizedthe circuit of the timer motor and of the local control switch 59 willbe broken. As soon as the switch 96 is opened a spring 102 willimmediately place the armature 52 of the magnet 53 in contact with theterminal 54 of the conductor 55 and reestablish the various circuits sothat the automaton may continue operations.

In cold climates, in order to keep the platform of the base 10 clear ofsnow we arrange a housing 110 thereon. This housing encases a heatingcoil 112 which is shown in the diagrams in Figs. 11 and 12. The circuitthrough this heating coil is controlled by a switch 114. One sideof theswitch is connected to the lead-in wire 50, the other side is connectedto the heating coil through which the current may pass through aconductor 115 to the other feed wire 65. The switch controlling thelights 96 and the switch controlling the heating coil as well as theswitch 60, which comprises the local control, may be located at anyremote point, but are preferably associated with a housing whichencloses the automatic control.

It is believed that the operation of the device, including the firealarm circuit, is entirely clear from the foregoing description, andwhile we have shown the preferred form of our invention, it will beunderstood that various changes may be made in the combination,construction and arrangement of parts, without departing from the spiritof the invention \as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: y

1. In a traflic signalling device, an autom ran aton in the size andshape of a human fig-- ure consisting of a trunk, means for mounting thetrunk for rotary movement on a rotary axis, a head, means for mountingthe head for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent ofthemovement of the trunk and, an arm mounted on the trunk for a swingingmovement on a horizontal axis, gearing forsimultaneously turning thehead on the trunk and for swinging the arm to produce a cautionarysignal and for rotating the said automaton to change the 'posi-- tion ofthe same, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, andmeans for energizing the motor.

2. In a traffic signalling device, an autom aton in the size and shapeof a human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting thetrunk for rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting thehead on the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent ofthe movement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft journaledin the trunk and carrying the swin ing arm, gearing for connecting thehorizontal shaft with the said head, and for imparting rotary movementto the shaft for simultaneously turning the head on the trunk andswinging the arm, and for imparting rotary movement to the trunk tochange the position of the automaton, a motor connected with the gearingfor actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor. a I

3. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape ofa human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunkfor rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting the headon the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of themovement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft ournaled 1nthe trunk and car- 'rying the swinging arm, gearing for connecting thehorizontal shaft with the said head,a crank arm connectedwith the shaft,a push rod extending through the trunk and connected with the crank, aneccentric element arranged to actuate the push rod to swing the arm andturn the head on the trunk sinmltaneously, gearing for imparting rotarymovement to the trunk for chang ing the, position of the automaton, amotor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means forenergizing the motor.

4. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape ofa human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunkfor rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means. for mounting the headon the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of themovement of the trunk, a'swinging arm, a hori zontal shaft journaled inthe trunk and carrying the swinging arm, gearing for connect ingthehorizontal shaft with the said head, a crank arm connected with theshaft, a push rod extending through the trunk and connected withthecrankfan eccentric element arranged to actuate the push rod to swingthe arm and turn the head on the trunk simultaneously, a motor, gearingfor connecting the motor with the trunk for changing the position of theautomaton, other gearing for connecting the last mentioned gearing withthe eccentric element'for rotating the latter, and means for energizingthe motor. 5. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shapeof a human figure and vaxis independent of the movement of the trunk,gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk and changing theosition of the automaton and for turning t e head on the trunk and forreversing the direction of movement of the head, a motor connected withthe gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

6. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a humanfigure and comprising a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotationabout a vertical axis and a head, means for mounting the head on thetrunk for movement about a vertical axis independent of the movement ofthe trunk, a horizontal shaft journaled in the trunk, gearing connectingthe horizontal shaft with the head, a crank arm connected with thehorizontal shaft, gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk forchanging the position of the automaton and for operatingthe crank arm toturn the head on the trunk, amotor connected with the gearing foractuatingthe same, and means for energizing the motor.

7. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a humanfigure and comprising a trunk and a swinging arm, a horizontal shaftjournalled in the trunk and carrying the swinging arm and provided witha crank arm arranged interiorly of the trunk, gearing for impartingrotary inovement to the trunk to change the position of the automatonand including a rotary eccen trio element'and a push rod engaged andactuated by the eccentric element and connected with the crank arm ofthe said shaft for swinging the arm of the automaton, a motor connectedwith the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing themotor.-

8. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape ofa human figure, consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk forrotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting the head onthe trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of themovement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft journaled inthe trunk and carrying the swinging arm, gearing for connecting thehorizontal shaft with the head, gearing for imparting rotary movement tothe trunk to change the position of the automaton and for impartingrotary movement to the shaft to simultaneously turn the head on thetrunk 10 and turn the arm, the said gearing causing a reversal of thedirection of the horizontal shaft, a motor connected with said gearingfor actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

HENRY J. BORGERDING. JOSEPH F. BORGERDING.

